Theoretical Approach to Monsters and Children's Fear


In theory, monsters are supposed to evoke fear in children. They are large, aggressive, and oddly shaped creatures that hide under beds and leap out of dark closets. You may notice that children love using the word "monster" when they feel anxious about the unknown. However, these stories teach children not to fear monsters by portraying them as silly characters, allowing children to enjoy them through stunning illustrated books that humorously depict the ability of monsters to be funny.
Types of Fears at Different Stages of Childhood
To help parents understand how to address their children's fears, they need to know what common fears occur at different stages of childhood:

Infants (0-2 years): Fear of new people, places, and loud noises.
Preschoolers (3-4 years): Fear of the dark, animals, insects, and separation anxiety from their parents.
Children (5-7 years): As their imagination expands, they may fear monsters under the bed, in the closet, or may worry about getting hurt.
Older children (7-12 years): Fears related to loss of family members, natural disasters, bullying, or failing at school.
Tips for Overcoming Children's Fear
The goal of overcoming fear in children is to teach them how to face their fears with the support of their parents.
Reassure Your Child: The first step is to comfort the child when they are scared by hugging them and reassuring them with calming words to make them feel safe. It's important not to exaggerate the situation. Also, give them the opportunity to talk about what scares them and listen carefully without interrupting. This builds trust and shows that they can turn to their parents for help when facing something scary.
Read Stories About Their Fears: Reading books that address things your child fears can help. Parents should avoid belittling their child's fears, even if they seem illogical. Instead, parents should listen and acknowledge the child's emotions. For example, if the child is scared of dogs, parents can read stories about dogs, buy a dog-shaped toy, and gradually introduce the child to a calm dog to help overcome their fear.
Distraction and Breathing Techniques: Teach your child to calm down by practicing deep breathing or playing soothing music. Aromatherapy with calming scents like lavender can also be effective.
Address the Source of Fear: Find practical solutions based on the child's perspective, such as leaving a light on at night or allowing the child to pick their own nightlight. Leave the door open or reassure them that there's no monster under the bed. It's also important to avoid exposing children to scary movies, images, or violent games, as these can intensify their fears.
Stories that Help Children Conquer Fear
Most childhood fears are a natural part of development and typically fade over time. However, some fears may persist and impact the child's quality of life. Here are some books that can help children confront their fears:

Stop Calling Me a Monster! by Jory John

A humorous story where a messy monster named Floyd begs readers not to call him a "monster" and instead calls him by his real name, teaching children not to fear the monster.

I Want to Eat Your House by Michael Rex

A monster wants to eat a boy named Pete, but Pete is so excited to have a new friend to play with that he won't let the monster eat him. This playful story keeps children on edge in a fun and humorous way.

There's a Monster in Your Book by Tom Fletcher

A fun and interactive book where a mischievous monster keeps tearing pages and causing chaos, engaging children’s imaginations with humor and excitement.

The Neighbor Monster by David Soman

A story about a boy who meets his monster neighbor, depicting how friendships go through various phases, including playing, conflict, and reconciliation.

Monster Mayhem by Christopher Eliopoulos

A graphic novel that follows a girl who has trouble making friends with her robot creations, until a magical monster arrives at her door. This exciting adventure is filled with fun and humor.

I Want to Be in a Scary Story by Sean Taylor

A little monster decides to star in a scary story, but soon realizes it’s not so fun being the character in a scary tale, prompting laughter and lighthearted reflection on fear.

Alma and the Monster by Ismee Shapiro

Alma, a girl from a fantastical world, befriends a monster who climbs her tree. Together, they embark on a journey to find the monster’s home, celebrating their differences and similarities.

If Your Monster Won’t Go to Bed by Denise Vega

This humorous book presents a little girl trying to get her monster to sleep, making it perfect for bedtime with funny illustrations and escalating humor.

The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson

A clever mouse encounters the terrifying Gruffalo in the forest, but ends up discovering that the Gruffalo is actually a kind and friendly creature.

Does Frankenstein Ever Get Hungry? by John Solimine

This witty book explores monsters from the perspective of a curious little girl who asks questions about their habits, providing a more compassionate view of monsters.
These stories help children face their fears in a fun and engaging way, showing them that monsters can be silly, friendly, and even lovable.

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post